FRAMINGHAM – Pablo Hideki Ogata located his English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom and then took a walk up and down the corridors at Framingham High, not really sure what he was looking for in his new school, and new country.

He wanted to play a sport.

Born in Japan to Brazilian parents, the 16-year-old Ogata had just moved to town prior to the 2014-15 school year.

“The first 15 years of my life were spent in Japan,’’ said Ogata, who enrolled as a sophomore.

“I always liked sports. I lived in a good neighborhood, and played basketball and soccer with my friends. It was a peaceful town, called Nishio. You could walk out at night. Nobody bothered.you.’’

Ogata played basketball for five years, “but I didn’t get the joy of it, so I quit,’’ he added.

He had found something else: martial arts, specifically, judo. His school had a judo club. “I fell in love with the sport when I was in seventh grade. It was competitive, and I liked the discipline and self-control it took,’’ he said. Ogata discovered he could bring that self-control into every day circumstances. He competed in national competitions. Judo was becoming a mainstay in his life. His sport.

“My goal was to be competitive at the highest level,’’ he said. That was in Japan.

Framingham High does not offer judo.

Ogata found wrestling instead.

“He came into my room and asked about wrestling,’’ said Jon Kanavich, the varsity wrestling coach at Framingham High, recalling their meeting more than a year ago. “He said he had a judo background, and competed nationally. I got excited. I said ‘show me some of your judo moves, so he wouldn’t hurt the wrestlers (in case he joined the team). The way he was asking about it I could tell he’d have success right away.

“He picked up things unbelievably quick, like he was a senior.’’

But would there be time for Ogata to boost the already talented Flyer squad?

Kanavich used the 5-foot-6, 132-pound newcomer judiciously. Ogata compiled a 7-2 mark a year ago. His future looked bright.

And his bright personality was infectious. “He’s very polite, and easy to work with,’’ said Anna Uricchio, Ogata’s guidance counselor at the high school.

But looks can be deceiving.

“Pablo’s a happy kid, smiles a lot. Very outgoing,’’ said Kanavich. “But on the mat he turns into something else. A monster! He finds the switch.’’

Ogata is not going to be outworked by anyone. He pushes until there is nothing more to give. And this season, as a junior, he has been rewarded.

At the Division 1 state championships last month in Brockton, Ogata captured the 132-pound title, defeating Matt Cabezas of Methuen High by decision to raise his season record to 37-5.

“I keep telling myself that I can beat my opponents if I wrestle smart,’’ he said. “Sometimes I feel I’m falling behind on points, then the nerves go away.’’ And the monster shows up.

“The state title gave me extra joy.’’ he added. “There were a lot of talented kids that didn’t expect me to win.’’

When the team bus arrived back to Framingham, “I went home and took a nap,’’ Ogata said. His reasoning: “I haven’t accomplished anything yet.’’ His drive has no turn-off valve.

“He wants to wrestle in college,’’ said Kanavich.

At the All-State competition last weekend in Reading, he locked up a fifth-place finish to advance to the New England’s.

His fast rise has stunned his teammates. “His first year wrestling and he wins the state championship, that takes a lot of hard work,’’ said Framingham senior Mike Ramos, who also qualified for the New Englands at 220 pounds.

“Everyone on the team likes Pablo. “They want to be friends and hang out with him. He’s funny, just an outstanding person.’’

Ogata knew very little English when he arrived to Framingham High. He enrolled in ESL class, and, like wrestling, was a facile learner.

“He brought the class to a higher level,’’ said Heloiza Castellana, who has taught the class for 18 years at the school. “Pablo asked the right questions at the right time. He has this charisma. His classmates would listen to him. He’s humble, but charismatic.

“He went beyond expectations. If a project took five steps to complete, he’d do more, take it to 5 ½. He learned English fast. The other students looked up to him and tried to mirror his behavior.’’

This year, as a mainstream student, he is dong well.

“Amazing’’ said Castellana, “for someone who had the equivalent of a year of English.’’

Ogata thought he’d have a problem talking to people because he knew very little English. His favorite subject is math.

“Math and science,’’ pointed out Uricchio. “He took on a lot of challenges.’’

He also plays the piano and guitar at home. “I’m so proud of him,’’ said his mother, Elizangela.

Wrestling has filled a lot of the gaps in Ogata’s new environment. He’s making the most of his opportunity. Each success has increased his identity. “I owe a lot to my coaches,’’ he said.

Maybe there’s a college scholarship down the road. “Pablo’s quick to learn from his mistakes on the mat,’’ said Kanavich. “He corrects them almost immediately’’

The wrestling room has become the teen’s second home. “This team is like a family. We push each other pretty hard,’’ he said.

Ogata hasn’t completely tossed aside judo. At least three nights per week, he takes the train to Worcester Team Link Training Center for judo. “I remember the first time I tried judo, I broke my arm because I didn’t know how to fall.’’

That was years and half a world ago.

Lenny Megliola can be reached at lennymegs@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @lennymegs).